Question

Could my 1 year old be allergic to cow's milk?

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We just started introducing cow's milk to our 1 year old yesterday. Today she has had a couple of loose stools, which I have read could be due to a milk protein allergy. But, she has not exhibited any signs of this allergy before, and I drank a lot of milk while nursing, and she's been on a cow's milk based formula since she weaned at 11 months. So, wouldn't the allergy have shown up sooner? I don't know whether the milk is causing the loose stools, or something else entirely. She just had her 12 month check up 3 days ago, and she was fine. She seems fine otherwise too (not fussy or rashy or anything).

Mom Answers

Hi there, milk is just kinda harsh on there tummies. i dont think you have anything to worry about. it just takes some time for there body to get used to it, thats all. I was afraid my son was allergic to it as well, he was on a soy based formula till he was year, and i was concerned about a milk allergy, but the doc said that usually there is blood in the loose stool if its an actual allergie. She also said that lactose intolerant is different than an allergy, and there is a stuff they can do for that that doesnt require taking them off dairy prducts, but since your little one hasnt shown any signs, i am guessing its just the adjustment period. Good luck, i am sure everything is fine.

Hi there, milk is just kinda harsh on there tummies. i dont think you have anything to worry about. it just takes some time for there body to get used to it, thats all. I was afraid my son was allergic to it as well, he was on a soy based formula till he was year, and i was concerned about a milk allergy, but the doc said that usually there is blood in the loose stool if its an actual allergie. She also said that lactose intolerant is different than an allergy, and there is a stuff they can do for that that doesnt require taking them off dairy prducts, but since your little one hasnt shown any signs, i am guessing its just the adjustment period. Good luck, i am sure everything is fine.

I tried switching my 1 yr old a few weeks back and it was horrible lol. He had diarreah really bad so i ended up switching him back to his formula. I went to his WIC appointment yesterday and they gave me vouchers to try Lactaid whole milk instead to see if tht helps.

My doctor told me it's usually the fat in whole milk that causes the loose stool. She suggested cutting the milk in half with water for a week. If that doesn't work, she then suggested we try soy or goat's.

My now 19 month old had those same issues. With cow's milk and yogurt. She was on regular formula after she weaned herself from bf. She just couldn't handle the cow milk. Instead of soy my pediatrician had us try Lactaid whole milk. It doesn't have the hormones in it either. My little one has no problem drinking Lactaid and we've never had any problems. Good Luck!

My oldest son and my 1 year old exhibited the same symptoms for a milk allergy. Trust your instincts as a Mom. They had "runny" bowel movements, extremely fussy, and and a lot of spit-up. When I switched to soy milk and soy formula, these symptoms disappeared. Doctor's know A LOT, but sometimes, Mom knows best for their own child. Too much juice can also cause loose stools. Take one thing out of her diet to see how things change.

Yeah I think the allergy would have shown up sooner. My daughter is allergic to milk. Whenever I drink or eat milk then nurse she gets a horrible diaper rash and bad gas pains. So maybe she got a hold of something that didn't agree with her tummy. If it keeps up I would hold off on the milk for a week or so and see how she does. Good luck :)

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